Abstrakt

The objective of this thesis was to examine how ÅRL and IFRS affect the statement of goodwill and the subsequent value adjustment. To achieve this objective the analysis was focused on how the two accounting policies are affecting the accounting presenters work.
Goodwill is an immaterial asset and represents an additional charge for a selling enterprise, for example caused by synergies or actives that are not included in the balance sheet. It appears as the difference between cost of a business combination and the net fair value of the assets and lia-bilities. Goodwill can only be capitalized, when generated, as a result of a business combination. The value of an acquired goodwill is calculated using the acquisition method. This method consists of five phases: 1) Identification of the buying and the selling company, 2) Determination of the ac-quisition date, 3) Calculation of the purchase price, 4) Calculation of the net fair value of the identi-fied assets and liabilities and 5) Calculation of the goodwill.
ÅRL and IFRS have different approaches on how to resolve these phases, which influence the val-ue of the goodwill. The main reason is that IFRS is more lenient with the recognition criteria for intangible assets and liabilities. An example demonstrated a calculated goodwill of 1.650.000 kr. by ÅRL compared to only 200.000 kr. by IFRS. The initial recognition of goodwill forms the basis for subsequent value adjustments.
ÅRL and IFRS also have different schemes for revaluation of goodwill. ÅRL requires annual depre-ciations, which can result in a lower value of the goodwill, than the asset is worth. This is a result of ÅRLs guard against optimistic valuations in the financial statements. The capitalization can also give an incorrect indication of the value adjustment, since the value loss of goodwill most likely won’t be steady. If further adjustment is needed ÅRL requires impairment of goodwill.
In accordance with IFRS goodwill is only to be impairment tested on a yearly basis and when needed. This means that in principle, goodwill can exist in the balance sheet forever. The risk with IFRS is that an impairment of goodwill is not complied. This is a consequence of the subjective judgments, which impairment test is largely based on. The subjective judgments have raised criti-cal questions in the thesis, because they can increase the risk of errors.
A conclusion of the thesis is that there are several dissimilarities between ÅRL and IFRS, and that they affect the accounting presenters work in many ways. Even though IFRS is the most compre-hensive accounting policy to apply in practice, it is difficult to conclude which handles goodwill in the most correct matter.